Transform that tired old kitchen

By SHIRLEY BROUN

RENOVATING a tired, old kitchen can significantly increase the value of a property, particularly in the eyes of a potential buyer.

A renovated kitchen can add thousands to the value to your home.

After all, the home chef and their families spend a great deal of time in the kitchen so creating an open, functional and appealing atmosphere could be the icing on the cake whether renovating for a better lifestyle or, alternatively, to add value and make the home more modern and attractive for a future sale.

Before setting out on any renovation, however, it is important to assess the situation fully. In other words:
1. What needs to be done? Do you have a design in mind? What design will suit your kitchen’s size and configuration?
When designing your own kitchen start by working out the type of cabinetry, appliances, layout and finishes you desire to incorporate into your plan. To do this, you will need to take into account the position of existing doors, windows, fixtures, plumbing and power.
Alternatively, you can hire an interior designer or kitchen renovator who will assess and measure the space and discuss design options with respect to your kitchen’s current layout, cabinetry, appliances, lighting, flooring, fittings and finishes.

2. What jobs are you able to complete yourself and what jobs will require a tradesman’s input?
If structural work is required in your kitchen renovation, call in a builder early to coordinate the job and ensure it’s done correctly. Structural alterations such as adding a window, door or skylight, removing a load-bearing wall to open up the space or adding a breakfast bar are best done by licensed, insured professionals. Prior consultation ensures proposed alterations are feasible and legal, avoiding potentially costly errors.
It is important to note that you can also minimise costs by maintaining the current kitchen floor plan, effectively eliminating the need to move plumbing and electrical wiring and providing an immediate cost saving.

The cost of labour can be a big part of the budget for a kitchen renovation. By supplying your own labour, or professionally preparing your kitchen for the professional tradespeople you hire, you may be able to cut the cost. Jobs you may be able to undertake yourself include – demolition and removal of the old kitchen; undertaking the tiling and painting; and removing the old flooring if required.
Consider the present style of the kitchen. For example, the kitchen pictured is a 70s style design complete with tiled benches, extremely old wall oven and hotplates and limited bench and cupboard space. The area is in vital need of a modern, fresh new makeover as well as extra storage and food preparation areas. A new wall oven, hotplates and fan would add to the appeal.

So your plan could be:
1. To update the kitchen
2. Construct a family-sized kitchen with adequate cooking, storage and bench space
3. Retile the kitchen floor to match the new design
4. Add a good size pantry with sliding drawers and modern fixtures
5. Install spacious deep drawers for storage
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS:

Investing in quality materials and labour to return good results is a great idea. It will show in the final product.

Mirror splashbacks are a popular inclusion today as they can dramatically optimise space and spread colour throughout the area.
Deep drawers are another modern convenience which has really taken on due to the increased space they provide.

Pantries with large, sliding drawers also make finding goods stored in them easily seen and accessible. Glass doors on smaller cupboards can also create a new look to the kitchen cupboards, especially for the storage of your best wine glasses or special plates.

Other popular features in kitchens of today are filtered water connections and slide out kitchen tidies, usually placed in the cupboard below the sink.

Of course, the renovation options for a new kitchen are many and varied and will suit not just your own taste but also the style and configuration of the individual home.

It is amazing at the number of decisions that need to be made when renovating a kitchen (or any room for that matter). Easy for some but there are many of us who ponder for hours over little things like what handle to put on the cupboards or what colour to paint the walls.

Time is money when renovating so try – where possible – to have these decisions made by the time you actually start work on your home renovation project.
So, with that in mind, consider the following:
• Use Quality Materials – This could save you problems in the future. Many people may have experienced the old tradition of using particle board in drawers and shelving. Today, there are much better options available such as wood veneer which is considered even more durable than melamine or laminate.
• Height of bench tops and cabinets – We all have a comfort level when working on benches in the kitchen. The bench tops may be too low or too high. Be sure to consider this point when designing the height of cupboards and benches. And, if your kitchen hosts eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling to optimise the storage space available. Refrain from floor-to-ceiling cupboards if your ceiling exceeds the eight-foot mark. They are too hard to reach.
• Make the most of corner cupboards – Utilise Lazy Susans to make potentially wasted cupboard corners fully functional.
• Island bench – When considering an island bench ensure there is enough room.
• Avoid clutter – Don’t clutter the kitchen with utensils. Keep your kitchen obstacle-free where possible.
• Focal point – Select a feature in the kitchen which could lend itself to being a focal point. For example, a wide expanse of windows could be a major feature by installing a long eye-catching bench. It provides an expansive, appealing affect to the layout of the kitchen.
• Colour scheme – Add colour through curtains and window dressings.
• Design – Just about any design idea can be considered for your `new’ kitchen. There are so many options available ranging from the inclusion of an island bench or breakfast counter to self-closing deep drawers, wine storage areas and water filters on the sink.

Whether creating your own designer kitchen or working together with a professional designer you can make your dream kitchen a reality, while adding value to your home at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!